CLUB NEWS

At the monthly meeting of the Burrell Township Library’s board of trustees, President Helen Lichtenfels reported that the changes in computers, chairs and tables for the updated computer area are in the final stages.

Through the grants from the Indiana County United Way and the Bork Family Foundation of the Communities Foundation of the Alleghenies, the library was able to replace the aged computer desks, well-worn chairs and outdated computers.

An open house is planned from 1 to 7 p.m. Sept. 12 to showcase the changes. All area residents are invited to attend.

Jane Kokolis, treasurer, noted that the library had recently received a grant from the Walmart Foundation. The updating of the resource room with shelving and furniture will take place before the open house.

A back-to-school party will be held Aug. 24 and movie nights for adults will be held at 5 p.m. Thursdays. The titles of the movies will be posted in the library since rules do not allow advertising outside the library building. Fall programming is also being developed.

The summer reading program, “Dig into Reading,” has been very successful with great participation in both morning and afternoon sessions. The children have enjoyed books, snacks and crafts related to animals and insects that dwell in the ground. The Ants on the Log, groundhog cookies and pillow stamping were highlights for all.

With the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District’s plan for early dismissal this fall, it was noted that students 12 and older are welcome to visit the library without parental supervision. The library is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays.

Recent fundraising activities included the Indiana County A.B.A.T.E. Poker Run on July 20.

The support of the group was greatly appreciated. Future fundraisers planned are monthly raffles, fall basket raffles and a ham dinner. The August raffle is the bookmark/floral arrangement basket donated by Karen Peterson.

The fall raffles will include holiday-themed collections. The snowman basket showcases a cookie jar, platter and cream and sugar snowmen. It also boasts a gift card to the Phoenix Salon & Spa for a cut and color.

Election Day has been chosen as the date for the ham dinner. Plans are underway to serve 100 dinners; tickets will be available in early October.

FORT MEADE, Md. — Acquitted of the most serious charge against him, Army Pfc. Bradley Manning still faces up to 136 years in prison for leaking government secrets to the website WikiLeaks, and his fate rests with a judge who began hearing arguments today in the sentencing phase of the soldier’s court-martial.

The former intelligence analyst was convicted of 20 of 22 charges for sendin